Last week's scratch matches whet our appetites and this weekend's AAMI Community Series hitouts will hopefully tide us over.
However, nothing can compare to the footy when four points are up for grabs.
Even for last year's wooden spooners, a new season allows for hope to spring eternal. Fresh names on the list pique even casual fan's interest and hyped draftees allow us to daydream about the future.
Nevertheless, reality can hit like a tonne of bricks when your side is 0-4 after four weeks.
Whether your team is rebuilding, resurging or the reigning premier, we here at Zero Hanger have scoured the fixture list and have made our predictions for all 18 team's records after the season's first month.
Who have we overrated and who have we slept on? Be sure to let us know.
Gold Coast
2-2
West Coast (A) - Loss
North Melbourne (H) - Win
Adelaide (A) - Win
Carlton (H) - Loss
2020 proved to be a season of amelioration for Stuart Dew's Suns, but as the vast majority of the year was played in Queensland last season โ including many games on their home ground โ their advantage at Metricon should logically be diminished this season.
Facing West Coast in Perth to start the season should see the Suns sit at 0-1 after the first week.
However, the next two weeks provide a great chance to grab early wins, and as they obviously sit ahead of both Adelaide and North Melbourne in their rebuild, we see them claiming all eight points on offer.
Should the Suns beat the Crows in the city of churches, it will be their first win in the state since their maiden victory against Port in 2011.
With Carlton likely to be pressing for a place in the eight prior to Round 4, they should be able to end the Sun's fun run and leave them 2-2 after the first month.
